Bourret, a Notre Dame graduate, retired July 1 after 40 years at Clemson.

On Friday morning Bourret was sitting in on a press conference featuring Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, which presented Swinney with an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

“As he sits right here in the front row, he is in his glory – 40 years as the SID at Clemson, but the biggest Notre Dame fan ever,” Swinney said, prompting widespread laughter.

But Swinney was far from finished.

“(Tim’s) dad went to Notre Dame, Tim went to Notre Dame,” Swinney said. “So trust me, I know way too much about Notre Dame, and I have for years.

“He’s one of the few people that can’t lose in this ball game. So I know he’s pulling for Clemson, but he’s got a little four-leaf clover somewhere in his pocket.”

Bourret still does Clemson radio broadcasts when his schedule permits and earlier this year began working as a statistical guru for NBA’s golf broadcasts, including the British Open and the Ryder Cup.

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Clemson's former SID Tim Bourret, who has been with Clemson for 40 years, went to Notre Dame. Dabo Swinney says Bourret can't lose.
BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff, The Greenville News